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Cristiano Ronaldo has been excluded from the 2026 Ballon d’Or nominee list, marking the fourth consecutive year the Portuguese star has missed out on recognition for the prestigious award. The 30-player shortlist was unveiled on Tuesday, with several elite performers making the cut despite Ronaldo’s contributions to Al-Nassr’s Saudi Pro League title.
Ronaldo, a five-time Ballon d’Or winner during his illustrious career, failed to secure a nomination despite his club success. His omission comes following a disappointing showing at the FIFA World Cup, which appears to have influenced the voting panel’s decision to leave him off the final roster.
The field features several formidable contenders vying for the award. Bayern Munich’s Harry Kane leads as the tournament favorite following an exceptional World Cup campaign, while Lionel Messi and Spain’s Rodri also figure prominently among the frontrunners. The complete 30-person list includes prominent figures such as Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland, and Jude Bellingham.
The award ceremony will take place in Paris on October 26. Ousmane Dembélé currently holds the title after winning last year’s edition, breaking a decades-long dominance by Ronaldo and Messi, who combined to claim 13 Ballon d’Or trophies between 2008 and 2023.
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Originally reported by Sports.yahoo →
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